SEVERAL clients leaving a hair salon have been drenched from head to toe due to a problem with puddles forming in the road outside when it rains heavily.

Business owner Jane Adams said the problem has been ongoing for a number of years, with some customers' hairdos ruined moments after they step outside and get a soaking.

She said the problem is caused by water accumulating in the gutter outside her premises at the side of Station Road every time there's a downpour, with people getting splashed by passing vehicles.

Ms Adams said she has failed in her attempts to get Somerset County Council to solve the problem, although the authority now says it is looking into "a possible solution".

She said: "It's been going on for over five years and it's got worse over the last two years.

"When there's a massive downpour, a big puddle forms outside and people walking past and clients walking out of the salon are getting drenched.

"We have to wait to see if there's a gap in the traffic going past before we let out clients out."

The rainwater often surges up to the window, with the salon front left dripping with water and the wooden frames, which were repaired two years ago at a cost of £3,000, starting to rot due to the damp.

"At the start of last month, there was such a deluge that water was virtually coming under the door and two clients got absolutely soaked on their way out," added Ms Adams.

"The council needs to dig up part of the road and carry out work so the water drains away.

"It's got so bad that it's a health and safety issue and it's affecting my business."

Ms Adams added that a County Hall official had told her the problem was "not a priority issue" due to lack of money.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “We’re aware of the issue at Station Road and we have advised Ms Adams investigations are underway to find a possible solution after the re-occurrence of this problem. If anyone is concerned about flooding or other problems on the highway then we would encourage them to get in touch with us so we can inspect and take appropriate action."

For a link to contact the council over flooding issues, click on the DErive section of this link.